Pride

(Note:  Today is "Coming Out" Day and Sunday was Gay Pride Day.)

Recently I was sitting outside in a long-sleeved shirt and yoga pants.  Closed toe shoes.  It felt like autumn even though it was only September in middle Georgia.  July, August and September are usually our hottest months ~ and by "hottest" I mean "scorching."

I live in a small, somewhat prominent town where millionaires and stars come to retire.  This is also formerly home of Joel Chandler Harris, Flannery O'Connor and childhood home of Alice Walker.  I moved here from Atlanta almost 25 years ago.  It was a culture shock, to say the least.  (Churches were still segregated, for god's sake!)

I often joke that I grew up in the Bible Belt ~ and it's been spanking me ever since.

Not so much of a joke, really, for an Indigo born during the Age of Aquarius:  civil rights upheavals; tragic assassinations of the two Kennedys and MLK, Jr.; the first "giant leap for mankind,"  and a big, ole inner fist I was created to raise in protest against all injustice.  (Underdog ~ that's me!)

It was the time of Hair, Godspell, Jesus Christ Superstar.  (Okay, it was also the days of St. Anthony's Fire, better known as LSD, but we were rebels with a cause and we did bring about change.)  In those days, "blacks" were oppressed and "whites" were comfortable for the most part ~ even amongst slight poverty.

I was not allowed to socialize with "blacks" by my father's rules.  My mom, however, snuck me over to my first "black" boyfriend's house in the late 1970s.

By the time I entered high school, "blacks" were able to drink from the same water fountain as my white ass; they could sit any place they wanted on the bus.  (My Native American aunt was so dark ~ with curly black hair ~ she was made to sit in the back of the bus.)  They are now called "African American"; hell, we've even elected a black president before a white woman has been placed in that position.

Considering the obstacles and absurdities, we've come a long way, Baby!

I am of the strong opinion that our newest civil rights battle is over sexuality.

Though my Spirit naturally bucks all prejudice, I was raised to believe homosexuality was a conscious choice and, o yeah, an abomination to god.  (Unpardonable sin, perhaps?  It would seem so considering the way our society has treated homosexuals!)

Embarrassing though it is, I used to believe that blindly as a younger person.  I have done penance over the past 10 years or so.  I write for LGBT rights.  (That's "Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender".)  I send monthly support to HRC (Human Rights Campaign).  I even sport the Equality symbol on my vehicles.

But ~ am I making any real difference?

Maybe I'm too hard on myself.  I was never outspokenly anti-gay,  nor have I ever been homophobic.  I've always known certain friends were gay, but felt no need to treat them differently or tell them they would burn in that most fictitious of places:  hell.  And ~ I was the first (perhaps only?) 11^th grader to go to prom at my Christian high school with one of my best friends, a transgender.  (We both wore formals and heels.)

Maybe I've moved from a partially obscured enlightenment to a little less obscured enlightenment.

When I saw How the Homosexuals Saved Civilization by Cathy Crimmins at a thrift shop, I spent a dollar on it.  I was delighted with Crimmins wit and openness.  She explores the gay aesthetic in society, which took hold even while America was primarily closeted and closed-minded.   Crimmins says we lived in what she calls The Liberace Syndrome ~ because we didn't even realize Little Richard was gay, despite his flamboyance.  Now ~ that's denial!

My first exposure to homosexuality came indirectly from my dad.  Though he was homophobic, he employed a lesbian who wore men's clothing and had a femme lover.  I liked her, although I thought she dressed a little funny for a girl.  As I was approximately 6 years of age when Irene entered my life, it never occurred to me to think of her having sex, much less with another woman.  It took me a decade to realize (and my dad confirmed) she was a lesbian in a committed, long-term relationship.

Crimmins points out, however, that we have all ~ our entire lives ~ been greatly affected by the gay aesthetic.  From fashion to design to art to food to music . . .  The gay aesthetic has dominated American society ~ and we are benefiting ~ even while still denying LGBT marital rights or equal benefit rights, etc.

Crimmins chops the book into three parts:  Heart, Body and Soul.  In part two (Body), she explores the ways gay men have shaped the way we eat and entertain.  From bringing deviled eggs to the potluck to altering old classics to introducing into the mainstream appletinis and cosmos . . .Gay men have most certainly shaped how I serve my guests:  I always provide a bottle of Chardonnay; I decorate with a light, classic touch; I revamp old favorites (like the time I had no okra for gumbo, so I used prickly pear cactus instead); and I keep a bottle of Chambord in case of emergencies!

Crimmins credits gays with introducing our population to chili, pasta dishes, casseroles, roast lamb, hummus and pesto, overhauled meat and potatoes, Buffalo wings with fried leeks instead of celery ~ and the California Cuisine Revolution.

I had to look that last one up only to realize I'd experienced it in Palm Springs, California with old high school (gay and gorgeous) friend, Jef.

I was driving from Georgia to California with my cousin.  On the way to Venice Beach, I stopped over in Palm Springs to visit Jef.  He works for a very neuvo, hip gay designer couple, Larry Abel Designs.  (I can't find a website, but they are on facebook ~ like the rest of the population.)  Their work is minimalist with flare and loads of beautiful, tasteful pieces of artwork of nude males.

Jef bought me brunch: a squash blossom omelet.  This tasted clean and fresh and green.  I'm not crazy about heavy foods.  I like those which feel "clean" in my mouth.  Like Popeye's spinach, only, not exactly.

Crimmins frequently mentions the macho handbook, Real Men Don't Eat Quiche.  Thank god, the gay sensibilities eschewed that concept as silly!

I have a hope that we can all one day learn to "play nice" like our parents told us to!  In the meantime, it's good to open our eyes to see the benefits of having LGBTs in our society! We owe much to gay men ~ and I hope I will see the day when "hate crime" is no longer a necessary term!

RECOMMENDED PURCHASES

How the Homosexuals Saved Civilization by Cathy Crimmins ~ I only touched on one part of this book.  This is a worthwhile read.  (I read it faster than I do most books.)  Equality and appreciation are wrapped in Crimmins' charming sense of humor. 

Tales of Uncle Remus by Joel Chandler Harris ~ I always felt Harris' stories had an Anansi, Puck, trickster sort of feel to them.  Br'er (Brother) Rabbit is constantly thinking and manipulating his way out of tight spots.  Disney made a movie loosely based on these tales in 1946; it is called Song of the South.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker ~ both the book and the film are simply wonderful!  They show oppression, but also strength!

Bobby  ~ This film claims an all-star cast: Lawrence Fishburn, Demi Moore, Anthony Hopkins, Ashton Kutcher, Harry Belafonte, Christian Slater, to name a few.  And it was written, directed and starred in by Emilio Estevez.  I saw it in my local dollar store and bought it unseen.  Well worth the $7 I paid!  Powerful film!

Books about Indigo "Children" by Lee Carroll and Jan Tober ~ Many mystics believe humans are evolving on a spiritual and intellectual plane if not physical.  I don't know how accurate the research is, but I can certainly see a great deal of myself and Gen X in these books.  Great reads!

To donate to HRC (the Human Rights Campaign), please visit www.hrc.org.

RECIPES

Raspberry Fizz

Ings.:

Fresh raspberries

Dry Champaign

Sugar

Chambord (Black Raspberry liqueur)

Place 3 or 4 raspberries in a Champaign flute.  Add ½ tsp sugar.  Cover with Chambord, then fill the rest of the glass with Champaign.  Yum!  I experienced this taste sensation at a get-together at one of my favorite gay couples' home.  It now plays a large part in my own entertaining.

Hummus

Ings.:

½  # bag Garbanzo beans, cooked until soft

Liquid from beans

3 cloves garlic, minced

salt (to taste)

5 tsp lemon juice

2 TBS tahini (sesame paste)

Olive oil

In a blender, mix all ingredients except the liquid from the beans.  Slowly add the liquid to help blend the ingredients, but make sure it has a pasty texture; (not too fluid, not too thick). Serve with pita chips, pita bread or wheat chips of your choice.

Prickly Pear "Okra" Fried

Ings.:

One large cactus "paddle" * (Must be cleaned of the pricklies!  I happen to harvest them from the wild, but some gourmet grocers carry them already cleaned.)

½ cup cornmeal

½ cup self-rising flour

2 TBS chili powder

salt (to taste)

Canola oil (for frying)

Dice cactus into bite-sized pieces.  (They are "slimy" like okra and have a stronger taste; slightly tangy.)  Mix cornmeal, flour and chili powder together.  Toss cactus in the cornmeal mixture and cover well.  Meanwhile, bring oil to a temperature conducive to frying.  Drop in cactus and fry until golden and crisp.  Drain then serve.  One of my friends who refuses to eat okra loves this version!

* Prickly Pear is also known as opuntia or nopales.

Basic Quiche

Ings.:

6 or 7 eggs

Pie crust

½ cup cream

1 cup shredded cheese, your choice

Any vegetable (broccoli, onion, cauliflower) or meat (bacon, ham, chicken) or a mixture of veggies and meat.

Blend eggs and cream until well integrated.  Line the bottom of the pie crust with your veg/meat.  Follow with cheese.  (It will rise as it cooks.)  Cover well with egg mixture.  Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until the center is well set.

Mustard Deviled Eggs

Ing.:

½ dozen eggs, hard boiled

Coarse Dijon mustard, to taste

Salt, to taste

Ground red pepper or chili, depending on your taste

Cut eggs into two equal pieces, then scoop out the yolks.  Place yolks in a bowl with ingredients 2-4.  Mash together, tasting occasionally to make sure you are achieving the amount of spice you prefer.  (Remember, they can mellow after sitting.)  Refill the egg whites with the yolk mixture.  Serve immediately or cool in the fridge until ready to serve.